July 1, 1894 — Ministry Atrium

Sometimes, Harry thought he ought to work on being more intimidating. Since the suffrage bill was announced in the Prophet, it seemed there was no end of people who wanted a word with him. Maybe he seemed more approachable because he wasn't a ministry official? Whatever the case, Harry was half-tempted to brew himself polyjuice potion to avoid people coming up to him with questions he could not answer. He might have, if he'd thought of it before the Prophet article, but he'd still have to deal with it all for the month it took to make the potion.

He didn't really blame anyone for being curious. Not really. A citizen's interest in government was how Harry'd ended up on a committee for voting reform in the first place. So, when one such concerned citizen cornered him as he crossed the Atrium, it was with at least some patience that Harry said, "No, I'm sorry, I really can't say more about it than what's been told to the public."

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The following 1 user Likes Henry Berkwood's post:1 user Likes Henry Berkwood's post
   Ozymandias Dempsey

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Set by Bee <3

Kieran was trawling for information on the suffrage bill; he was lucky that this was technically part of his job. He recognized Berkwood because he had made a habit out of knowing what members of the committee looked like. He cornered Berkwood with efficiency and asked a leading question, smiling good-naturedly at the rebuke of the other man.

"But do you like it?" Kieran asked. He felt like he could get something out of Berkwood — and never mind if it was for the Prophet or just for Jude.

  

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set by MJ!

Harry's smile didn't waiver, but was decidedly polite and not meant to actually reveal anything significant. "I am happy... to be a part of the process," he said. Which was, of course, not even close to an answer to the question, but really, what did the man think he was going to say?

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Set by Bee <3

Well that was restrained. Kieran decided to change tack. "How did you get involved?" he asked, instead — he was sure he could nudge Berkwood into saying something if he kept nattering at him.

  

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set by MJ!

"Minister Dempsey approached me," Harry said, though he wasn't sure how they'd gotten to that point first. "Presumably he liked what I had to say on the subject enough to include me." Or something like that, anyway.

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Set by Bee <3

Kieran nodded, as if Mr. Berkwood's comment was particularly interesting. "And what did you have to say about suffrage?" he asked, still prodding.

  

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set by MJ!

That, Harry at least felt he could answer honestly. He hadn't exactly been shy about his view point since joining the committee. "I'm in favor of universal suffrage," he said. "I think it's, at best, silly that we allow widows to vote on, presumably, their sons' behalf, but it's too much for women at large." His tone was amused, though he didn't really think it was very funny. More absurd than anything.

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Set by Bee <3

Kieran jotted that down. "And you took those opinions to the committee, right?" he said. Nothing Berkwood had said so far was a surprise, but — Kieran was sure he could keep pushing.

  

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set by MJ!

"Of course," Harry said. "The committee is made up of a variety of view points." That was its purpose, after all. Frankly, Harry was grateful that that many differing opinions had led to anything productive at all, and not just disaster.

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Set by Bee <3

Kieran nodded, as if he hadn't known that. "So," he said, "Did you win?"

Because that was the question, wasn't it? If Berkwood had won, then women were getting the vote.

  

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set by MJ!